Impact Wrenches.
 

Following on from griston64’s thread re his hub nut and Laird Scooby’s subsequent post about the 12volt impact wrench I’m considering investing in a reasonably priced impact wrench. I don’t think that I would consider the 12volt 350Nm version which Dave has modified but I could fancy a cordless 1/2” drive.
I’ve seen a couple marketed by Machine Mart. 1) Clarke CIR18LIC 450Nm, £137.99. 2) Draper Stormforce CIW20LISF £155.98.
Some of the reviews on these cheaper wrenches seem to indicate that they are not up to the job and as I will probably be using said wrench on the likes of hub nuts and crankshaft pulley nuts instead of a breaker bar & scaffolding pole etc. I don’t want to waste my money on something which will not do the job.
Observations/advice/comments please.

There are only a few worth the investment on the market at the minute, namely the offerings from DeWalt, Milwaukee and Bosch. I personally use the DeWalt DCF899 and have never been beaten by anything with it. This includes stubborn wheel nuts, hub nuts and crankshaft nuts, some of which have tightening torques of over 400Nm. If you shop around you can pick up the DeWalt DCF899P2 with two 5Ah batteries, charger and hard case for under £300.

The one I have borrowed for the weekend is a Milwaukee. Not sure what the model is but I'll go and have a look and let you know. Obviously this will be getting really heavy use and they have about 6 at the garage so they must be good kit

Luckily I can use this whenever I want so I think I'll stick to that arrangement given the cost of a good one:teeth_smile:

I was committed to makita with other tools so that's where I looked.
Have the C1002 half inch drive, 1100Nm tightening torque, 1600Nm knock off. £400 for the full kit, 2 5Ah batteries and rapid charger.
Also baught a Z285 as it's smaller and easier to use. 280Nm tightening 450 Nm knock off as a bare unit.

Have yet to find a bolt the C1002 has failed on and often the results are a nut spun off that is too hot to handle. The Z285 is a fabulous tool within its range and with big brother to back it up is a very useful addition. The C1002 is a big machine, vary capable but needs the room to use it.

I have had the cheaper ones and while they did a job they do not compare to the makita.

Paul.

A few years back, I invested in the Bosch Professional ecosystem, namely the high torque 650Nm impact wrench, the brushless 185Nm hybrid impact wrench/impact driver and the brushless drill/driver and have never regretted my decision.
Had I only needed a kick ass impact wrench, I would have gone for the much more powerful offerings by Dewalt, Milwaukee and Makita but they didn't (and I believe still don't) have a hybrid which is the one I use the most by some margin so Bosch it was for me.

If you only need to remove the occasional extremely tight bolt, there's nothing "wrong" with the Clarke or Draper wrenches and it can be difficult to justify the expense of the big name cordless kits.

The biggest benefit to the big names though is that once you have the batteries and charger, the cost of the bare tools comes down massively thus enabling you to accrue a high quality selection of all manner of tools from angle grinders to cordless vacuum cleaners, leaf blowers, mitre saws even radios and torches etc.

Like most purchases, it depends on your needs, your wants, your budget..... and sometimes, your wife.

How true!

That’s precisely my situation. I could afford them but for their very occasional use I cannot justify the expense and “the management” have already enquired as to the need for such items. I’ve managed in the past and, health and age permitting, I hope to manage for a while longer with the kit I have. If I’m really stuck I’ll buy assistance from my friendly garage owning neighbour.

Thanks for your input guys.

Have you a caravan?
Need rattle gun to wind the legs.
Have you arthritus?
Need rattle gun or the job is only half done before the pain causes you to stop.
Have you a garage?
No, then the job needs doing and once started has to be compleated no matter the weather.
Rattle gun aids that outcome

All these reasons were used to justify my purchase to both Management and myself.
Yes we can manage without them but I preffer to manage without other things like trips to the pub to have them
Have had family visiting this last week, what I have spent in admission fees, meals out, and transport costs would of baught me half a dozen rattle guns. Now I do not begrudge spending on the family or grandkids and would rather spend time with them than under the car, rattle gun is now indispensable to ensure the car is available and the time to spend with family is also available..

It's not you want a rattle gun, it's you need a rattle gun.

Paul.

You son of a gun.
 

Nicely put Paul, lets hear it for Paul and the rattle guns,hip hip ....

I shall print this off Paul.then next time I need a bit of 'friendly persuasion' I can alter appropriate words and voila! the manager will be convinced,....I hope

Regards,Keith.

I've never been disappointed with my Snap-On, even if it didn't make your list...